THE SCARLET CORD

by Frank G. Slaughter ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

Fourth in the novels drawn from Biblical backgrounds, this turns back to the Old Testament for inspiration- and, frankly, little more. Turn to the Book of Joshua for the few scattered verses on which the pyramid of the story of the woman of Jericho, Rahab, ""the hariot"", has been erected. Two thirds of the story actually deals with an imaginary fictional account of Rahab, who lived in the land of the Amorites, but was of the seed of Abram and worshipped the one god, Yah, a god of peace and love. She had little sympathy with the war waged in the name of their deity from invaders from the south, the Habiru, who claimed that the land of Canaan had been granted their ancient leader, Moses, and whose new leader, Joshua, felt that the Lord spoke through him, urging him on. The Biblical story is woven in at the point where Rahab has submitted to the embraces of the king of Jericho, and after his death gives shelter to spies of the Habiru, sent by Joshua whom she had loved many months before, and whose child she had borne. From that point on, with considerable embroidery, Frank Slaughter tells the tale of the fall of Jericho, and the subsequent campaigns; of the repudiation of Rahab by Joshua- and his belated acceptance of his son, despite the crippled foot; and always of the physician Salmon, who loved Rahab- and served Joshua and his people. Immensely detailed in the portrait of the life and times, this nonetheless carries less of conviction than did The Song of Ruth. On Slaughter's name, a substantial sale is guaranteed.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1955

Categories: FICTION